Η πρόσφατη απόφαση της Ινδίας να επιλέξει το γαλλικό μαχητικό Rafale M, αντί του αμερικανικού F/A-18E/F για το Ναυτικό της, θα οδηγήσει το πιο πιθανό στον τερματισμό της παραγωγής του Super Hornet το 2025.

Σύμφωνα με το FlightGlobal, ένα εξαγωγικό συμβόλαιο θα έδινε την ευκαιρία στην Boeing, που κατασκευάζει το F/A-18 Super Hornet, να κρατήσει ανοικτή τη γραμμή παραγωγής του τύπου ως το 2027. Το F/A-18 Super Hornet μπήκε σε υπηρεσία με το Αμερικανικό Ναυτικό το 1999. Εκτός από το τελευταίο έχει αγοραστεί από την Αυστραλία και το Κουβέιτ. Πάντως και μετά το 2025 οι “Σούπερ Ρινόκεροι” θα συνεχίσουν να πετάνε για πολλά χρόνια ακόμη στα αμερικανικά αεροπλανοφόρα.

230513-N-PA221-1067 PHILIPPINE SEA (May 13, 2023) An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the “Blue Diamonds” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146 rests on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is in U.S. 7th Fleet conducting routine operations. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kevin Tang)
230513-N-MJ302-1093 PHILIPPINE SEA (May 13, 2023) An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the “Kestrels” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 137 launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is in U.S. 7th Fleet conducting routine operations. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class David Rowe)
221004-N-DU622-1472 PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 4, 2022) Lt. Steve Borden launches an F/A-18E Super Hornet, from the “Blue Diamonds” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146 on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is underway conducting operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Justin McTaggart)
230513-N-MJ302-1192 PHILIPPINE SEA (May 13, 2023) U.S. Navy aircraft fly in formation near the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during an aerial change of command ceremony for the “Blue Diamonds” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146. Nimitz is in U.S. 7th Fleet conducting routine operations. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class David Rowe)
An F/A-18 Super Hornet from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23 with green markings and the U.S. Department of the Navy Energy Security logo is in the hangar at Andrews Air Force Base. VX-23 will be testing the full envelope of the Super Hornet with a drop in replacement biofuel made from the camelina plant in an effort to certify alternative fuels for naval aviation use.
221004-N-DU622-1587 PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 4, 2022) An F/A-18E Super Hornet, from the “Kestrels” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 137, approaches for an arrested gear landing on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is underway conducting operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Justin McTaggart)